Damen to deliver CSD500 to Paraguay

The Damen Shipyards Group has signed a contract with Ingeniería de Topografía y Caminos S.A. (T&C) for a customised cutter suction dredger (CSD) 500.

T&C, a civil contractor in Paraguay, will use the dredger to transform the southern river bank of the capital Asunción, in the Costanera Sur project.

According to Damen, the modular dredger will sharply increase sand production, required to meet the program deadline.

Francisco J. Griño, Vice President of T&C, said: “We are very proud to be taking part in this project, which is contributing significantly to the sustainability and economic prosperity of Asunción. As well as keeping the city safe and dry, the barrier will enable a better circulation of traffic, facilitating better trade in the capital and generally improving the quality of life.”

The project has a sharp deadline; all sand relocation works, including dredging, have to be finished within two years. In total 9 million m³ of sand will have to be dredged. The total scheme will last five years.

Damen is able to deliver the dredger to this landlocked location due to its modular design. The dredger will be shipped fully dismantled to Paraguay shortly.

Initially, it will sail from Antwerp to Montevideo, Uruguay, before being transferred to river barge to be transported up the Paraguay River.

Upon arrival, Damen’s team will assemble the dredger and provide training to the crew in its use.